When to Come to the Hospital during a Flu Outbreak 04/29/2009
Flu News from Texas Health Resources
Individuals who think they have symptoms of the flu should call their primary care physician or their local urgent care clinic for evaluation
Individuals with flu-like symptoms (body aches, fever of 101 degrees, coughing) rarely need to go to the hospital. These symptoms however, indicate the need for hospital/ER evaluation:
Feeling confused or unable to stay awake
Difficulty breathing or breathing too fast
Pregnant women
Anyone suffering from organ disease (liver, heart, brain, lung etc.) or cancer
Immuno-compromised patients (HIV, organ transplant recipients)
Elderly patients (65 years or older)
Anyone who feels sicker than they usually do with the flu
If children show the following symptoms, visit your local children's hospital:
Fever of 101 degrees or higher
Rapid breathing
Struggling to breathe
Bluish discoloration of the skin, specifically in the fingernails, toenails and lips
Spells of not breathing
It is important that children and individuals who are sick refrain from visiting loved ones who are in the hospital
Source: Information from members of the medical staff at Texas Health Fort Worth
